Mastermind contestant called by BBC researcher to set questions for his own round

A Mastermind contestant was asked to help set questions for his own round on the BBC show, it has been disclosed.

Gareth Kingston, chose his football club Northampton Town as his Mastermind specialist subject, after completing the first round of the show.

Mr Kingston, from Bedford, was then surprised to be contacted for help setting the questions.

Andy Page, who works for 21st Century Quiz, a specialist firm that helps set the questions for Mastermind's 94 contestants, called on Mr Kingston's specialist knowledge, unaware he was the actual contestant.

Mr Page, a former civil servant from Merseyside who won the contest in 2003, contacted Mr Kingston asking if he had a book on Northampton Town which he had difficulty getting hold of, according to a friend.

A mutual friend said: "As soon as Gareth realised Andy was setting questions for Mastermind, he told him that he was the contestant and it didn't go any further. Gareth didn't ask him about the questions and Andy didn't tell him.

"Both of them contacted the BBC to tell them what had happened. But it was obviously a bit awkward" he said.

The latest embarrassment comes as Victoria Derbyshire, a Radio 5 Live presenter, claimed producers offered her a "crib sheet" on her specialist subject.

Derbyshire, who was due to appear on Celebrity Mastermind in December, told BBC staff she was worried about not having enough time to swot up on her specialist subject, the novels of Thomas Hardy.

She claims she was told not to worry about rereading the books because she would have a crib-sheet to help her.

Both incidents will raise questions over whether the programme has been dumbed down since it was revived in 2003, with John Humphrys as quizmaster.

Mastermind with its booming title music and imposing leather chairs has become a television institution over the past 37 years.

The winner of the final is declared "Mastermind" for that year and receives a prize, in the form of a cut glass engraved bowl.

However, critics say the quiz has become less rigorous as contestants can choose popular culture for specialist subjects like pop music and football, instead of more academic topics.

Recent specialist subjects of Mastermind winners include: 'The Simpsons' in 2006 and the films of Quentin Tarantino and Father Ted programmes in 2005.

When the show was originally presented by Magnus Magnusson, specialist subject questions were set by the foremost academic experts in the field.

Since the revival, questions are set by quiz professionals who work for several different shows.

A BBC spokesman said: "The question setter and contestant were complete strangers and it was a coincidence that they came into contact.

"As soon as it became apparent there was a connection, there was no further communication between them and it did not affect the outcome of the show.

"We take question-setting on Mastermind extremely seriously and have rigorous procedures in place to ensure they are always both fair and challenging," he added.